Questions and answers VITA ENAMIC^®

• As a user, ideally you will need a CEREC/inLab MC XL milling system and the corresponding 3D software from Version > 4.0 to perform processing. It is important to note: VITA ENAMIC offers excellent milling properties – it can be processed more quickly, and at the same time, does not wear milling tools to the same extent.
• So that the material can also be milled with the small CEREC / inLab milling system and using software versions earlier than 4.0, please select VITABLOCS Mark II, I14.

• HT (High Translucent) are used for inlays and onlays, all-ceramic and partial crowns, as well as for veneers. HT block materials offer a very beautiful chameleon effect. This makes them particularly suited to natural dentition when transferring the shade of the tooth stump. T (Translucent) are better for masking the underlying structure thanks to greater shade intensity, which is why we recommend it for discoloration and decalcification, as well as for older patients with a reduced proportion of enamel.

• As indicated in the working instructions, only diamond-coated milling tools should be used. We advise against using carbide milling tools for finishing. Due to the high proportion of ceramic-network content, this could lead to abrasion, and as a result, to black streaks or spots on your restoration. For polishing, we recommend the VITA ENAMIC Polishing Set instruments.

....... and if so, how?

• You can perform surface characterization using the VITA ENAMIC Stains Kit. It is comprised of a shade powder and liquid, which you should apply to the surface after it has been conditioned and prior to light-curing. A light-curing glaze is then applied as a seal.

• In order to achieve effective bonding between the VITA ENAMIC surface and the characterization material or the luting composite, the surface of the VITA ENAMIC material must be conditioned. This is due to the high proportion of ceramic-network content. You have two possible approaches to choose from. You can either etch the material using a 5% hydrofluoric acid gel such as VITA CERAMIC ETCH, or you can sandblast it using AL2O3 of max. 50 µm at a pressure level of max. 1 bar.

• The silicate ceramic network is ideally suited to etching and provides a highly retentive etching pattern for micro-mechanical bonding between the material and the luting composite. That is a significant difference between ENAMIC and composite materials.

• It creates an additional chemical bond between the
  ceramic network and luting materials as well as VITA ENAMIC Stains.

• Please check your light-curing device, as well as its
  wavelength and compare these to the information in the working instructions. A sticky surface indicates that curing has not been fully completed. The surface
  must be dry after curing, and no longer sticky. The surface is similar to that of a polished crown.  Reworking is not required.

• VITA ENAMIC Glaze is a light-curing resin. That is why you should ensure that no direct light sources are directed onto the object during application. You should also avoid brushing the same area several times with the brush. This can also result in streaks.

• Adhesive bonding of VITA ENAMIC restorations must be performed using light-curing or dual-curing fine hybrid composites. A self-adhesive composite such as RelyX Unicem from 3M ESPE can also be used for bonding crowns (dentin adhesion). Adhesive bonding of crowns should preferably be performed using a flowable, dual-curing composite (depending on the thickness of the layering).

• Due to the industrial fabrication of VITA ENAMIC using a combination of hot curing and pressure application, all parameters are ideally arranged. As a result, with VITA ENAMIC (polymer part), a complete absence of residual monomers is guaranteed.

...... should be used?

• In order to achieve a natural surface shine, we recommend a two-step approach. The VITA ENAMIC Polishing Set provides special polishing instruments for this purpose. You should ensure that the specified rotational speed is observed in this case and work at a low level of contact pressure. These polishing tools have been specially designed for the new material, allowing you to achieve ideal results.
• For custom surface design, you can then use a goat hair brush and diamond polishing paste to achieve a surface shine tailored to your particular needs.

To seal the screw channel, first apply gutta-percha, Teflon tape, or a similar material into the screw channel; then apply a suitable bonding agent into the opening and seal it tightly using a light-curing restorative composite.

..... Glaze or polished to high gloss?

Subgingival portions of the crown should be polished since a high-gloss surface of a crown reduces plaque accumulation.

.... walls caused by a titanium abutment?

In such cases, high-opacity bonding materials with masking capacity should be used. Translucent adhesive materials, which are used, e.g. for veneers, are less suitable.

.... to repeat the application before continuing the work?

To ensure reliable bonding of abutment and crown, the abutment needs to be degreased with ethanol before further processing and the process step of "Priming" needs to be repeated.

A dry treatment site must be provided for the adhesive bonding technique. Rubber dam and/or retraction cords are suitable for keeping the site dry. Please make sure that any excess bonding material is completely removed from the sulcus.

Temporary bonding of VITA ENAMIC crowns to abutments is not recommended since the required load capacity is only guaranteed after definitive and firm bonding of the VITA ENAMIC crown.

Conventional bonding using cements is contraindicated since sufficient load capacity and retention of the VITA ENAMIC crown on the abutment is only achieved by adhesive bonding.

.... and what needs to be done in cases of screw loosening after bonding of the crown?

In such cases, simple trepanning of VITA ENAMIC crowns with a suitable milling or grinding tools can be carried out. Then prepare the access to the screw channel of the abutment. Tighten the prosthetic screw to the prescribed torque. Then follow the recommendations to seal the screw channel. Use phosphoric acid gel (30 sec) to clean the opening in the crown and then apply an adhesive/silane bonding agent. Light-curing restorative composites with high opacity are suitable to seal the opening. Please observe the corresponding instructions for use.

.... (Al2O3) prior to bonding the crown? Is it also possible to sandblast with glass beads?

Defined surface enlargement and mechanical roughness are only achieved by sandblasting the abutment with Al₂O₃ prior to bonding the crown; in combination with the chemical compound (using a primer), reliable adhesive bonding of the crown to the abutment is achieved. Glass beads are not suitable for this purpose.

.... for adhesive bonding of VITA ENAMIC crowns to zirconia abutments?

These monomers in the primer/bonding agent and/or bonding composite enable chemical bonding of the sandblasted zirconia surface and the bonding material.